A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) team intercepted a 27‑year‑old Ecuadorian woman at Denver International Airport on Monday as she attempted to board a Southwest Airlines flight to Oakland, California.
The individual, identified as Chantal Alejandra Morales Rojas, entered the United States on a temporary visa on October 20, 2024, which expired on January 4, 2025. She remained in the country beyond that date, resulting in an overstay that violates immigration laws.
ICE agents detained Morales Rojas on the jetway, placing her into a Homeland Security vehicle for transport to an ICE facility. She is now held pending removal proceedings.
Video footage captured the confrontation, showing agents in plain clothes confronting the woman as she prepared to board. A companion filmed the scene, demanding legal assistance and shouting at the officers, while a gate agent warned the passenger that boarding would be prohibited if she continued to interfere.
Southwest Airlines stated that it was not notified of Morales Rojas’s immigration status and that the Transportation Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security already have access to passenger information through the federal screening process. The airline also indicated that its employees are instructed to ensure that law‑enforcement officers present proper documentation before acting in gate areas.
Following the arrest, a fundraising campaign was launched to support the woman’s legal expenses. The campaign highlights her prior work as an au pair in Oakland and her current status on a work permit, noting a pending immigration application that could grant her lawful status.
Mosales Rojas had been a resident of Oakland for two years, contributing to the local community and maintaining a work permit. The fundraiser’s goal is to secure legal assistance for her ongoing appeal against removal proceedings.
The incident underscores the ongoing tensions between airlines, airport authorities, and federal immigration enforcement, and highlights the personal ramifications for individuals navigating complex immigration processes.
